Hermann Neuhaus Prize
The Hermann Neuhaus Prize was launched in 2018. It recognizes excellent postdocs and research group leaders who are conducting research with the potential for application at a Max Planck Institute. It is awarded by the Max Planck Society (MPS) and funded by the Max Planck Foundation (MPF) in memory of the entrepreneur Hermann Neuhaus. Like many excellent scientists, he used his untiring creativity and critical mind to strive constantly for the best. His aim was to shape the future for generations to come. He is the most generous benefactor of the MPF and posthumously received the Harnack Medal, the MPS’s highest accolade.
The prize money is 25,000 euros (20,000 euros are earmarked for research funds, 5,000 euros are for the prize winner´s personal use). The call for applications is announced annually with a deadline of February 15.
Eligibility
You are eligible to apply
- if you are a postdoc or research group leader at an MPI in the Biology and Medicine Section (BMS) or Chemistry, Physics and Technology Section (CPTS),
- if you conduct research with the potential for application,
- if you completed your PhD no longer than 7 years ago. This period can be extended owing to maternity-protection and parental-leave times, illness and family eldercare leaves. Please indicate details in your CV.
Prize Winners
2025
Dr. Zachary Smith, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin
2024
Markéta Icha Kubánková, PhD, Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, Erlangen
Oren Moscovitz, PhD, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Potsdam
2023
Ulrich Lutz, Max Planck Institute for Biology Tübingen
2022
Vahid Babaei, Max Planck Institute for Informatics, Saarbrücken
2021
Chandradhish Ghosh, Max-Planck-Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Potsdam
2020
Jesús Esteban Serrano, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion, Mülheim an der Ruhr
2018
Arjun Chennu, Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, Bremen
